On behalf of the people’s democratic government, the National
Democratic Front in Mindanao shall release the six (6) prisoners of war
(POW) who were arrested earlier this year and are currently in the
custody of the New People’s Army (NPA) in 4 separate regions in the
island.These releases, that will be promptly disclosed soon by the various
regions, shall be carried out as a gesture of goodwill for the
resumption of the peace talks. These are also in response to the request
of the families and loved ones of the POWs, as well as to the call of
various concerned sectors in society.Both the NDF and NPA in Mindanao, acting on the call of the CPP, have
already begun the process to facilitate the immediate and safe release
of the following 6 POWs: 1. PFC Edwin Salan, captured in Alegria,
Surigao del Norte on January 29; 2. Sgt. Solaiman Calucop and 3. Pfc
Samuel Garay, captured in Columbio, Sultan Kudarat on February 2; 4. PO2
Jerome Natividad, captured in Talakag, Bukidnon on February 9; and, 5.
Paramilitary Rene Doller and 6. Paramilitary Carl Mark Nucos, captured
in Lupon, Davao Oriental on February 14.The actual safe release of these abovementioned POWs however can only
be realized if and when the AFP, the PNP and the Local Government Units
(LGUs) give their full and undivided cooperation. The NDF-Mindanao,
therefore, encourages GRP President Rodrigo Duterte, who himself is a
veteran at facilitating POW releases, and the LGUs concerned to direct
the AFP to implement a temporary suspension of military operations
(SOMO), and the PNP, a suspension of police operations (SOPO), in areas
which the NDF in the region concerned will specify and announce soon. Both the SOMO and the SOPO will help expedite the safe release of the
mentioned POWs. Without which, the lives of these POWs and those who
will receive them will be put in danger, and, therefore, any manner of
prisoner release becomes impossible.We also encourage the families of the POWs, alongside various groups
from the church, the academe, peace advocates and other concerned
individuals and aggrupation, to make an appeal before President Duterte,
for him to respond to this call positively to ensure that the POWs will
be released safely and be once again locked in the embrace of their
loved ones.In earnest reply to the AFP’s dare to “just do it, release them”, the
NDF-Mindanao says “yes we will” but only if the AFP, PNP and their
troops fully cooperate by way of a SOMO and a SOPO and avoid acts of
treachery that will bring harm to the POWs, their loved ones and the
third party facilitators. If these conditions are satisfied, the release
will push through. The ball is now in the AFP’s hands.#Ka Joaquin Jacinto
Spokesperson
NDFP-Mindanao